7mm/08 or .270wsm

Hello, I am currently considering purchasing a Tikka T3 lite in either 7mm/08 or .270wsm for my hunting to replace my Howa .25/06 (a bit too heavy). I will be fitting a Weaver grand slam 3.5-10x40 scope. I have spent a few (Too many!) hours studying ballistic charts etc. I will be using the rifle on Red deer and hopefully Tahr (I live in NZ) maybe Elk at a later stage but not often. As I see it there is little difference in the trajectorys out to 300yds or so. I have been easing my way into long range hunting with my .25/06, plenty of rabbits and goats to practice on here. Would a .270wsm offer any practical advantages out to say 450yds maximum. Most of the animals I shoot would be under 250lbs weight. I am considering the Tikka as I walk and climb plenty and like the weight of those rifles and the reasonable price over here. The 7mm/08 interests me as they are popular here and of course plenty of bullets to choose from. Any advice would be appreciated.

I think your 25-06 is plenty for animals up to 250 lbs out to 500 yards. Use a 115g btip or partition, or the 110g ab and you would have no problems. However, if you still want to purchase a new rifle, I would go with the 270 wsm, its a magnum compared to the 25-06, the 7/08 would have little performance on the 25-06. The little 25-06 just flat out kills to 500 yards on deer size animals, put the bullet in the shoulders and watch them fall over. The same can be said for the other 2 cartridges, but you already have a cartridge that is fully capable of what your asking. If elk is in the equation though, the 270 wsm again would get my vote. the 140g AB at 3200-3300fps is a tough combo to beat for deer/elk out to 700 yards.

i have a 25-06 and a 270wsm. i just got the 25-06 so i can not comment on its killing power but i can on the WSM. i shoot exactly what remington has announced, 140 accubonds at 3250 FSP flat kills em! awesome caliber!
Casey

I would go with the 7mm/08. For 450yards max on the animals you mentioned it fits the bill quite nicely. With the short barrel on the T3 lite the advantage of the 270wsm would not be fully utilized anyway, kindive a waste of powder. The tikka is a nice rifle, it should be a good setup for you.

Jason, I like the ballistics (velocity) on the 270WSM when looking at the 130 grain bullet! However, if you look at the 7mm mag caliber, you will see it is another 100fps or better faster in the velocity department. It gives you more bullets to choose from and is far faster than the 7mm-08 at 2870fps with a 140grn bullet. It is indeed a charter member of the long range magnums, for taking big game at long ranges, with power equal to the hammer of Thor. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I shoot a 25-06 and use the 120 grain premium bullet at 3100fps out of a 26 inch barrel. I don't believe there is any difference in killing power on big game up to 300 pounds between it and the .270WSM caliber using the 130 or 140 bullet.

If you really want to go a step up, I would opt for the 7mm mag as it will handle those 140 grain bullets at close to 3350fps with handloads. Hornady's reloading manual says 3400fps with a 139 grain bullet. I have never been able to get that speed. They give 3500fps with using a 120 grain bullet as well in the Hornady manual.